Sri Vijaya Puram | January 27, 2026
Tarun Karthick
Hindu Rashtra Shakti has raised strong objections to a tender issued by the municipal authorities for leasing a building for running a bar and restaurant near Foreshore Road in the Megapode Junction area of Sri Vijaya Puram, alleging that the site is part of a Hindu graveyard.
In a representation addressed to the Hon’ble Union Home Minister, the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Chief Secretary, and senior officials of the Administration, the organisation expressed concern over what it described as an attempt to commercially utilise land historically used for Hindu last rites. The letter termed the proposal as a serious violation of religious dignity and public trust, particularly objecting to the inclusion of liquor-related activity in the proposed use.
While the letter refers to the “leasing of land,” Nicobar Times, upon verification of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration’s e-procurement portal, found that the tender uploaded by the Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal Council (SVPMC) is for leasing of a building for running a Bar and Restaurant (Tender ID: 2026_PBMC_21333_1). The tender does not explicitly state leasing of land.
However, the building proposed to be leased is located adjacent to a Hindu graveyard, as mentioned in the representation. Nicobar Times also learnt that some organisations had earlier objected to the construction of the building at the time of land clearing, alleging that the land belonged to or formed part of a Hindu graveyard. Those objections were raised when construction activities were initiated at the site.
The organisation has further alleged that no valid municipal resolution authorising diversion or commercial use of the site has been placed in the public domain, and has sought disclosure of all relevant records, including land status, usage history, approvals and expenditure incurred. It has also sought fixation of responsibility on officials if any action is found to have been taken without lawful authority.
Hindu Rashtra Shakti clarified in its letter that it is not opposed to development or tourism, but to any activity carried out in violation of law or religious sentiments, particularly at locations associated with cremation and burial.
Nicobar Times cannot independently verify whether the land on which the building stands is officially recorded as Hindu cremation or graveyard land in government records. The Administration has not yet issued any official clarification on the objections raised or on the status of the land.
The matter has been brought to the attention of the Ministry of Home Affairs, with the organisation seeking immediate intervention to keep the tender in abeyance and to prevent potential social unrest.
